The Japanese word sashiko (刺し子) translates to English as little stabs, a reference made to the simple running stitch employed by repeating or interlocking traditional Japanese geometric patterns, offering a vast creative canvas.

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese embroidery style which dates back to the Edo period (1615 – 1868). It was mostly used by the working class farming and fishing families to make stronger, more practical workwear. A worn-out piece was stitched with layers of old cloth, producing a sturdy garment passed down through generations. Cloth was a precious commodity as a lot of work went into producing a piece of fabric. 

Sashiko is today used in any number of products from clothing, bags, accessories like sunglasses, jewellery, and shoes to home linen, like cushions, rugs, blankets, bedspreads, and wall art.

Join us for a few sessions of sashiko and learn the different decorative stitches that may be used on plain fabric or on finished items such as a tote bag to decorate it. You will receive a Sashiko kit that consists of fabric, needles, threads and patterns.